KIRAKIRA village has recently hosted an SME market to encourage Motu-Koitabu and Moresby South electorate women associations to take part in business activities.
The event took place at the Kirakira village, Geita Sebea Cricket oval on May 1. It was a spectacular event with over 50 stalls erected where locals displayed their items both traditional and the latest artistically crafted items.
The market attracted women associations from outside Central province including Gulf that travelled over to sell their items, a multitude of city residents both locals and expatriates also attended the event.
Moresby South electorate MP Justin Tkatchenko was amazed at the turn out and the items that the local SME can produce.
“This showcased different trades and goods and services and what the Motu-Koitabu people and also individual women are doing. They are doing a fantastic job,” Tkatchenko said.
The highlight of the event was the reviving of the Karuka festival. A ceremonial practice done to appreciate the gods by killing and eating of the raw heart of the pig by the elders of the clan and the dedication of all first born child from each clan with the first harvest of their garden produce. It was an infamous practice and was performed publicly for the first time.
Mahanu Rabura, a performer in the Karuka ceremony, eating the heart of a pig that he just killed. Photo: Charlie Dumavi/PNG Bulletin
The Karuka ceremonial practice is one of many practices done by the people of Motu-Koita in the Central province that has died out since the transition of civilization and the expansion of urbanization into their cultural lands. The ceremony was performed by Vamaga, Vaga and Koge clan elders.
President for the Koita Magia Association, Gorome Momo Priestly was very thankful for the event and the permission to perform the Karuka festival.
“Special thank you to Mr Goase Geita for the permission of the Karuka festival,” she said.
Managing Director for the Pascoe Events and Markets Silvia Pascoe also gave an encouraging speech to the women at the event.
An Asian woman trying out products on sale at the recent SME market at Kirakira village. Photo: Charlie Dumavi/PNG Bulletin
“Today you are putting on a market to make a little extra cash for you and your family as village people. Years from now you will be managing a multi-million Kina tourism attraction that provides opportunities to your children to work, create and travel the world,” Pascoe said.
She added that Port Moresby markets generated an estimated K3 Million for families in NCD and around the nation and the village people are main suppliers to the markets.
Moreover, the marketing event was made even exciting with a fashion exhibition done by local girls and women who put on locally made outfits to showcase the products of Motu Koitabu Women Association. The outfits has some of the traditional designs to promote and preserve the native designs and cultures of the Central people.
